Division 2A Preview

Only seven teams will compete in the top division of the Intermediate leagues and all teams will be eyeing promotion.

Division 2A is sure to be competitive, with all the teams seemingly at a similar level before a ball has been kicked.

Annaghmore

Declan Fox is back in charge for another season as Annaghmore hope to get back to the topflight.

Annaghmore have been playing senior football since 2014 but suffered relegation to Intermediate football last season.

Matthew McNiece along with Oisin and Ciaran MacIomhair remain the key players. Conor Cullen is on the comeback trail after picking up a shoulder injury in last year’s championship.

Tomas McCormack earned a county call up for his efforts last season but should be available for the league.

Annaghmore were relegated from Division 1B last year
Photo Credit: Brendan Monaghan

Shane O’Neill’s

Before the season begins, the Camlough men are among the early favourites to go all the way this season.

They’ve been knocking on the door for a few seasons. The Shane’s exited last year’s championship in a shock defeat to Culloville.

Peter Gregory remains in charge and Shane O’Neill’s will be without their county contingent, Connaire and Ciaran Mackin along with Greg McCabe, for the start of the league.

They’ll call upon the likes of Paul O’Rourke and Matthew Girvan for scores in attack.

Shane O'Neill's are one of the top teams in the Division
Photo Credit: John Merry

St Paul’s

Former Maghery and Pearse Og Shane McConville is back in charge of the Lurgan men for the upcoming season.

McConville, regarded as one of the best in the county, brought St Paul’s to Intermediate glory in 2014.

He will hope to repeat the feat eight years on but will be without Andrew Murnin for part of the league.

Antoin McParland is also part of the under 20 county side, so may be unavailable, depending on how their championship outing goes on Friday evening.

Shane McConville is back in charge of St Paul's
Photo Credit: John Merry

St Peter’s

St Peter’s suffered relegation from Division 1B last season but are one of the favourites to spring right back up.

They won the 2018 Intermediate title under Ronan McAlinden and have been playing senior ball for the past three years.

Davy Wilson remains in charge, and he can call upon stalwarts like Robbie Geary and Aaron Findon.

Niall McConville, who is back on the county, may be available for the opening rounds of the league.

St Peter's were relegated from Division  1B last year
Photo Credit: Richiespics

Tullysaran

Tullysaran have an impressive management team in place this season with All-Ireland winners John Devine and Davy Harte taking over.

The pair will hope to be the missing piece for Tullysaran, who are one of the teams who have been knocking on the door lately.

They’ll have to do it without some key personnel, however. Brian Kelly, Turlough Lardner and Matthew Mallon are unavailable.

Adrian Conlon will lead the team as captain. Mark McKeever, Eddie Mallon and Gavin Conlon are all super players.

Tullysaran are without some key personnel
Photo Credit: Richiespics

Whitecross

Whitecross hung on to Division 2A by their fingertips last year and will hope this season isn’t as close.

They had a poor outing in the championship, when Sarsfields ended their run in the quarter finals after defeating Ballyhegan.

Aidan Finnegan and Cathal McSherry remain the key players for Ruadhri Quinn’s men, who begin their season away to Shane O’Neill’s.

Mark Shields, who recently made his 100th appearance for Armagh, will be absent for the opening rounds.

Whitecross just about stayed in the division last season
Photo Credit: John Merry

Wolfe Tones

The Tones earned promotion last season when the finished second in 2B, just behind Carrickcruppen.

They are under new management, with former Grange boss Peter Nugent taking charge for the season.

Nugent, entering his second stint as Tones manager, was part of the Grange management team that won Intermediate glory in 2019.

Paudie Judge is the main man in attack and the Tones begin their season with a short trip to St Peter’s.

Peter Nugent is back in charge of the Tones
Photo Credit: John Merry